Jesus in the Old Testament

One Year Bible
Old Testament passage for Saturday, December 28, 2013:  Zechariah 12:1-13:9

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.   Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)

The entire Bible is about Jesus.  In the Old, He is concealed; in the New He is revealed.

Throughout the Old Testament we find prophesies and pictures of the Coming Messiah.  The Book of Zechariah is particularly full of specific predictions about Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

We read about the King coming "just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey."  (9:9)  That's the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem right before His crucifixion.  We read about it in Matt. 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-15.

Thirty Pieces of Silver

In Zechariah 11:12-13, the prophet predicts that the price set on the prince will be "thirty pieces of silver".  That money would then be used to purchase a potter's field -- a burial ground for derelicts.  We read exact fulfillment is Matt. 26:14-16 and 27:3-10.

The BRANCH

We read about the BRANCH who will come and build a glorious temple in which the priest sits on the throne (6:12-13).  That's a first!  The kingly office and the priest's office will be united in one Person.  That's Jesus!  Hebrews 4:14-16 describes Him as our "great High Priest" who sits on "the throne of grace."

We Will See the One We "Pierced"

Zechariah describes in some detail the injuries inflicted on Jesus in His crucifixion.  In Zechariah 12:10, He is "pierced".  John 19:34-37 tells of the Roman centurian who shoved a spear in Jesus side releasing a flow of water and blood.

Wounds in His Hands

The picture of Jesus' crucifixion is amplified in the description of nail scars in His hands.  Zech. 13:6 predicts the discussion between Thomas and Jesus when He shows the nail prints in His hands (John 20:24-29).

"Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter"

Matthew, Mark, and John give detailed accounts of what happened the night Jesus was betrayed.  This verse in Zechariah (13:7) is quoted by Jesus Himself (Matt. 26:31, Mark 14:27, and John 16:32).  This is one of the low points in the Passion of Christ.  When He was struck, His closest friends deserted Him -- even denied Him.

Fulfilled prophesy is one of the strongest proofs of the authority of Scripture.  Again and again, we see the faithfulness of God and His Word.  This speaks volumes to me.  He can be trusted!  He rules history.  And particularly, He rules MY history.